Chief Executive’s Weekly News for 30th March 2020

Dear All,

I trust you are well.

Detailed below is the Weekly News for 30th March, although as you would expect a significant proportion is about coronavirus.

Please get in touch if you have any questions.

Take care.

Gordon Polson

Chief Executive – Federation of Bakers Ltd

Coronavirus-Trade Association Roundtable Call Today-

The first item discussed was increased concern by employees continuing to get to work and concern once they are at work, social distancing etc.

NIFDA shared Good Manufacturing Practice Guide COVID-19 on food hygiene and social distancing in the work place.

Link to on line platform to match idle lorries with food producers https://www.thegrocer.co.uk/supply-chain/online-platform-launched-to-match-idle-lorries-with-struggling-food-producers/603466.article

http://b fff.co.uk/the-transport-support-platform/

COVID-19 Defra Update

The latest news from the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs

29 March 2020

At this busy time, Government communications are increasing to ensure that stakeholders are aware of updated guidance. As a result, you may have received the information below from different sources.

New advice to support mental health during coronavirus outbreak

People struggling with their mental health during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak will be offered additional online support and practical guidance to help them cope

COVID-19: guidance for employees, employers and businesses

Organisations should pay particular attention to the guidance for employees, employers and businesses which is being updated regularly with the latest advice

Government amends insolvency law to help companies keep trading while they explore options for rescue

Under the plans, the UK’s Insolvency Framework will add new restructuring tools that mirror the USA’s Chapter 11 procedure, a well-established model adopted by countries around the world. This includes:

  • A moratorium for companies giving them breathing space for from creditors enforcing their debts for a period of time whilst they seek a rescue or restructure;
  • Protection of their supplies to enable them to continue trading during the moratorium; and;
  • A new restructuring plan, binding creditors to that plan

The measures to help support businesses under pressure from the impacts of coronavirus were made yesterday, along with initiatives to fast track supplies of personal protective equipment. Find out more here

#FoodHeroes new video

Defra has posted a new video on Twitter and Facebook recognising the response of the food and drink supply chain to COVID-19.

Please share or highlight your own examples of hidden heroes using #FoodHeroes.

Competition Law

A Statutory Instrument on Competition Law was made today to provide a specific, temporary exemption to Competition Law to enable grocery retailers, their suppliers and logistics firms to work together to keep supplies flowing and shops open and stocked.

The CMAs approach to business cooperation is available here. It would for example permit bakers agreeing to share deliveries to retailers https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/cma-approach-to-business-cooperation-in-response-to-covid-19

Changes to annual leave rules

The government has announced that workers will be able to carry over statutory annual leave entitlement, allowing key industries to continue to work to tackle coronavirus

HMRC guidance on home working

HMRC have produced guidance to help you find out what equipment, services or supplies are taxable if your employees are working from home due to coronavirus

Barclays Economic Update:UK manufacturers output decreased in mar’20

According to a survey by Confederation of British Industry, UK manufacturers reported a decline in export orders in mar’20.

The order book balance fell from -18% in feb’20 to -29% in mar’20. followed by the export order book balance which declined to -28% from -17% during the same period. It is expected that output volumes will contract at a faster pace in the next three months from mar’20; the weakest expectations since the financial crisis in 2009.

Anna Leach, CBI deputy chief economist, stated that the manufacturing sector is facing unprecedented challenges due to covid-19, such as widespread disruption to supply chains and weakening demand due to domestic containment measures.

She further added that the expectations for output are set to decrease in the coming months and it’s now more important that manufacturers get the support they need.

Plant Baker Apprenticeship Consultation

The Baker apprenticeship standard is being revised and the National Skills Academy(NSA) for Food & Drink are seeking responses from Plant Bakers to the latest proposed version.

This is a core and options apprenticeship standard. Apprentices will be trained and assessed against the core and one option relevant to their workplace:

  • craft;
  • plant; or
  • retail.

NSA are inviting responses to the proposed Plant baker option duties, knowledge and skills. They also seek your views on whether the core duties, knowledge, skills and behaviours are appropriate for Plant bakers.

You can respond to the consultation by accessing this link https://reviewframe.com/collab/view/id/59

The consultation will run until close of play Wednesday 22nd April.

Please copy any response you make to FoB.